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I have started, stopped, and again started the confusing process of working out how to go about teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in Australia given my experience and qualifications up to now, and am hitting fewer brick walls than previously (including the ones built by my own lack of confidence that I can do it and lack of persistence in filtering through reams of virtual paper online). So my things for this week:

Discouraging things

The lack of helpfulness provided by the student advisor I went to see today about doing a Master of Teaching at my old uni. She seemed more able to tell me what I couldn't do than what I could.

Encouraging things

The fact that there are plenty of other courses in the sea, including ones that are more likely to take my non-academic experience into account!

Less than great things

The fact that these courses are all pretty much based in the outer suburbs or further.

The fact that the donuts at my old uni cafe seem to have much bigger holes than they used to, for a higher price.

Tolerable things

My swiftly numbing backside (with brain in tow) from sifting through all these options with their pre-requisites and their course fees and their LINKS THAT DO NOT WORK.

We shall see how it all goes...

My goodness, I am sure I haven't been here in a while. Our internet at home has been down for a while and I have been overseas with a friend who does not seem to understand the importance of regular contact with the wide-web world....

I am in Koh Samui at the moment after a sticky and hectic two days in Singapore. We arrived last night to my first-ever pre-arranged transfer to my first-ever luxury beachside resort with little bottles and packets of everything and more pillows than I have seen on a hotel room bed ever.

Spent this morning sleepoing in, grabbing a continental breakfast downstairs, swimming i the sea, then the pool, then taking the hotel shuttle bus into town to get local currency and shop. I don't know a single word of Thai and it doesn't seem to matter.

This is the most tourist-y holiday I have ever taken. I'll decide whether I like it that much in a couple of days!

Signing out for now,

falcon.

overall (^- ^*)/

for a reason.....

Now to this latest job app....

Things that are infuruating and ridiculous at the same time:

• Bridesmaidzillagate. It has escalated way beyond even what I thought it might and will only get worse before the wedding. If Party A would just pull her head out of the clouds and Party B pull it out of her arse, and Party C please not let it all get to her too much. Four sleeps to go............I did request months ago that I be placed between the two groomsmen rather than with the other bridesmaids. Boy am I sure I did that!
• The fact that in the interests of all I may decide to delete this post should Party A or Party B somehow stumble across it and further fan the bloody fire. On the other hand, you know who you are A and B. If you happen to read this and know who I am please do as I ask.

Things that are draining:

• Family funerals. I didn't think I was doing too badly, but absolutely exhausted this morning. It was a nice service, as far as funerals go. I think most of our family were a little uncomfortable about all the prayers (most not religious) but the two readings were lovely, and more personal. As was the eulogy my dad gave. All drank and laughed and shared stories afterwards. I wish my aunt was there. We will miss her.

Things that are delightful:

• The little veggie patch that appeared on the reserve across the road on Sunday! According to the signs it is a little free-access community veggie garden, for all to maintain and use. I will keep an eye on it, and hopefully get some fresh herbs in a few months' time. It is these little things that make me love my neighbourhood so much.

Things that are at the same time baffling and unsurprising:

• Melbourne weather. Beautiful over the weekend, cold-sunny/hot-stormy-chilly on Monday and windy and cold today. Typical, yet we are always surprised.

sun shining, warm breeze blowing......so what am I doing inside???

I did get out this morning - went to SAIL and hung out at the beach with my student A for a while before heading back to shop and clean.

Walking back from the supermarket through Edinborough Gardens was so damn pleasant - bright young things in sunglasses gathered in groups on blankets, couples snoozing with arms thrown over each other, pretty girls reading, kiddies running around, people flying kites, kicking balls, walking dogs. I felt myself smile all over just walking amongst it and soaking it in.

I got home and made my first fresh fruit smoothie of the season, spring cleaned, sympathised with my sister about the latest episode of Bridesmaidzillagate (only six sleeps to go until the whole thing is over!!!) and am waiting for Linda to come and move in! To think one of my first Vox Friends is my new housemate - my, how the world works.

Bad things:

the usual: the nature of my work, my attitude to work, the cold (I thought it was making way for spring but I was wrong - may have to get out the winter coat again)

Sad things:

My great aunt passed away yesterday - it was the end of a long fight with cancer. I'm glad it's over for her in a way, but we're all pretty sad obviously. Felt numb all day.  

Not so bad things:

My work colleagues, the location of my work

Good things:

The usual: my heater, blueberry bagels and other toasty breakfast food.

Ugh.   

Doris walked slowly past the asphyxiation chamber transfixed. A gimp was sitting on an ironbark throne inside, ankles strapped to the throne's elaborately carved legs and wrists bound to the arm rests. He held her gaze for virtual hours with an all-knowing smile she could feel under her skin through the leather balaclava, the slowly thinning air, the thick sliver of glass cutting through the iron door.

As she tore her gaze away and moved on a figure of transcendent beauty whispered down the corridor toward her, wearing nought but a smear of gold leaf across each cheekbone and an expression of utter peace.

Doris in her half waking state decided to chalk this down as the most interesting experience she had had in quite a while and dove back into black velvet sleep. 

Hi. How are you going? Haven't been round here for a while....

I did actually try to post last week; hauled my laptop down to the nice cafe with free wireless and all - only to find their wireless access has opening hours - between 7am and 5pm. What on earth? I felt a bit gipped.

Then like a typical urban kitty, my phone started ringing and screeching with messages that interrupted my coffee-in-a-ridiculously-impractical-glass moment of peace. So I answered and chatted to someone I don't really know and don't particularly have the time or energy to get to know, in a surface-friendly way.

Then once I had warmed up from the coffee I went home.

Things have been a bit nuts socially, family-wise and potential-relationship-wise (to avoid use of the D-word - ugh), none situations that I am used to dealing with. Been scheduling and prioritising and using every hour to the utmost efficiency. And a cold almost caught me, but not quite.

Heaven knows life could be far worse!

Things achieved recently include emptying most of my inbox, going for a jog last week, booking venues for my sister's hens' night this Saturday and chasing up guests and games, getting back into holiday planning, and visiting K and my great aunt and uncle in Canberra. A long-overdue trip, and well worth it.

Things to do include hanging out laundry in the cold and dark, warming fingers and toes, getting taxes done, visiting great aunt in hospital, putting last week's laundry away, buying dad's Fathers' Day present, getting prizes for hens' night games and rescheduling catch-ups with a couple of friends. Oh dear. What happened to my free evenings of cooking and tv-watching and blog-browsing? I haven't even had time to get past episode 3 of Dexter Series 2, let alone scratch my arse.

Woe is me, right? (wry smile)

I must head out to the washing line now. Wish me luck.

-falcon 

Familiar things:

This cycle of complacency and despair at work

Unfamiliar things:

The barrage of male attention I seem to be getting at the moment

The number of strangers who have started conversations with me in the last week - am I giving off some kind of vibe???

Improvised things:

The gyudon I made for tea tonight using very thinly sliced leftover steak and Bulldog brand tonkatsu sauce

Icy things:

My poor fingers and toes

Warm things

My heater

Sticky date pudding reheated with buterscotch sauce and cream

Hot water

Things I did today:

Correctly answered the Who Am I question in today's Trivia Quiz at work (Pete Sampras)

Spent a lot of time browsing news sites on the web

Agreed to go to a boxercise class with my housemate later on

Left work early, having bugger all to do

Got some more ground coffee (100% Arabica of course) from the Oxfam shop

Stuffed a capsicum with breadcrumbs, roast chicken, onion, pumpkin, carrot, spinach and feta

Forgot to season the stuffing!

Things I will soon find out:

Whether my stuffed capsicum tastes any good

How difficult this class is going to be

Things I will do tomorrow:

Try not to sleep in

Probably browse the net some more

Attend the first meeting of a movie club my friend M started - the film is the Australian new release Unfinished Sky

Eat the rest of the chocolate I bought from my niece last week

Better check my capsicum!